BOC uncovers abandoned fresh red onion shipment

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

Abandoned fresh onions (Bureau of Customs PH/facebook)

MANILA – The Bureau of Customs inspected 26 containers of abandoned fresh red onions from China as part of efforts to prevent irregular agricultural importations at the Manila International Container Port.

The shipments covered 72,215 bags with a gross weight of 650,000 kilograms. Based on valuation, the shipments have an estimated market value of PHP86,684,000 and total equivalent duties and taxes amounting to over PHP9 million.

The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry confirmed that permits had been issued for the shipment, but due to the failure of the consignee to process and release the shipment, the integrity and quality of the goods may deteriorate and be unfit for human consumption. It is recommended that the shipments not be released to the local market.

The shipments were found to have unclaimed and unpaid entries, prompting the issuance of the abandonment decree.

“We will continue to act on all reports involving suspicious, unclaimed, or abandoned shipments, lalo na ang mga agricultural products na maaaring makaapekto sa ating mga magsasaka, konsyumer, at lehitimong negosyante (especially our agricultural products that could affect our farmers, consumers, and businessmen),” Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said.

This article is republished from PNA.